Wire-stretcher.



No. 684,897. Patented Oct. 22, I901. E. L. YARBBOUGH. I

WIRE STRETCHEB.

(Application filed June 28, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD L. YARBROUGH, OF BUFFALO, MISSOURI.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

srncrnroatrron forming part of Letters Patent No. 684,697, dated October 22, 1901.

Application filed June 26, 1900.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LEDWARD LYARBROUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Dallas and State of Missouri,have invented a new and useful Wire- Stretcher, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wire-stretchers, and has for its object to provide a simple and improved device of this class which is especially designed to facilitate the engagement of the wire therewith, so that a single operator may effectively stretch a wire and conveniently fasten the latter to the post at which the operator stands. It is also designed to provide a light and durable device, so that it may be conveniently carried along a line of fence, and is arranged so that it may be used at the end of a fence or at intermediate points to take up slack between opposite posts.

With these and other objects in View the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanyin g drawin gs,and particularly pointed out in the appended claim, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion,

' size, and minor details may be made within the scope of the claim without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View illustrating the application and operation of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of a Wire-stretcher. con-- structed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 3 is a detail enlarged side elevation of the wire gripping or engaging clamp. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Corresponding parts are designated by like characters of reference in all of the figures of the drawings.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the present device comprises a stick-like wooden handle 1 of suitable length to form a lever and which tapers toward the rear end thereof. The

larger or forward end of the handle is embraced by means of a protecting metallic band or ferrule 2, and driven longitudinally into said forward end of the handle is an eyebolt Serial No. 21,661- (No model.)

3, the eye of which projects longitudinally beyond the end'of the handle. Loosely connected to this eyebolt is a wire-engaging grip or clamp 4, which consists in a straight shank having its rear end bent into a loop or eye 5, which is loosely hooked into engagement with the eyebolt, .while the opposite end of the shanlcis bent back longitudinally thereon to forma hook or jaw 6, which flares rearwardly and outwardlyfrom the shank and terminates short of the loop or eye, so as to form a wedgeshaped opening 7 for the reception of the wire.

It will be observed that the hook orjaw and the loop or eye 5 are located at op- I ed thereon by the wire entering the wedgeshaped opening 7.

For a complete understanding of the application and operation of the device refer ence is had to Fig. 1 of the drawings, in which 8 designates a common or ordinary fence post, and 9 a wire which is to be stretched and secured to the post. The wire 9 is ordinarily upon the ground,'and by manipulat v ing the handle of the device the wire grip or clamp is hooked beneath the wire, so as to receive the latter transversely in the wedgeshaped opening or slot 7, whereby the opposite walls of the jaws will be wedged against said .Wire, and the latter may be conveniently lifted from the ground to the desired position upon the post without requiring the hands of the operator to come in actual contact with the wire. This is especially advantageous when handling barbed Wire, as the hands are saved from being scratched and injured by the sharp barbs. The implement is then disposed longitudinally of the Wire and then given a pull to straighten the wire, after which the handle is drawn around so as to bear against the side of the post which is opposite the wire and adjacent to the operator. In this position of the implement the clamp or grip is disposed transversely at substantially right angles to the wire, and the handle has a fulcrum-bearing adjacent to the forward end thereof, so that the operator may force the opposite end of the handle toward the wire,thereby drawinglongitudinally upon the latter. When the wire has been sufficiently stretched, the operator places his body against the handle, so as to hold the implement against slipping, thereby leaving both of his hands free to staple or otherwise secure the wire to the post. Should the post 8 be an intermediate post and it is necessary to take up slack at opposite sides thereof, it is merely necessary to shift the implement to the opposite side of the post and proceed in the same manner totighten the opposite portion of the wire in the opposite direction.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides an exceedingly simple and durable wire-stretching implement which has no separate parts to become disarranged or lost and is adapted for use either at the end of a fence or at intermediate points thereof. Moreover, it is constructed so as to pick up the wire without directly engaging the wire with the hands and is arranged to permit of the implement being operated by a single operator, so that the wire may be conveniently held after being stretched to enable the said operator to staple or otherwise secure the wire to a post. It will also be observed that the Wire-gripping device is movable in arcs about the adjacent extremity of the lever as a center and in planes at substantially right angles, so as to swing to opposite sides of the lever and in different planes,the1.6b,y facilitating the picking up of a wire from the ground, and also the application of the lever to a post.

What is claimed is- A wire-stretcher comprising a lever-handle having an eye projecting longitudinally from one end and a wire-clamp having the inner end of its shank loosely attached to said eye and free to swing in the arc of a circle in opposite directions about said end of the leverhandle carrying the eye and also movable above and below the plane of said handle when the latter is held horizontally, the said clamp having the opposite extremity bent thereover and the terminal of the bent portion flared to form a free entrance to the converged biting portion of the said clamp,whereby a wire may be caught and drawn into the converged portion of the clamp in a plane at right angles to the shank ofthe latter, the clamp having its free end flattened to resist the strain exerted by the pull on the wire and prevent the bent-over portion from being pushed outward.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aifixed mysignaturo in the presence of two witnesses.

EDW'ARD L. YARBROUGH.

\Vit nesses:

KATE BROWN, BEATON I). RFIOADES.

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